Kelly Coyne

Reflective Essay
Instructor: Joyel Brule
12-1-15
This semester I took a class with a very blunt name, Death and Dying (SOCY 206). It is
the study of the sociological perspective of death and dying throughout society. I was instructed
to write reflective essay in regards to a class I took this very semester (Fall 2015). I decided
Death and Dying was the class I would write about because of its sheer difference from any other
nursing class I have taken at my school, Bay de Noc Community College.
A certain situation that arose during the class was a debate on assisted suicide. Assisted
suicide is when a person with six months or less to live, has the choice (in three U.S. states) to
end their life with dignity. Of course there are many other rule and regulations, but that is
beside the point. This was a topic of discussion brought about from my Professor Mikes lesson
plan that carried off into a debate on personal thoughts and feelings. I did not pipe into the
conversations occurring, but I did listen with full attention. It was not the discussion that was
impressing me though, what was the impressive part was that Mike sat back and watched the
students discuss their feelings and thoughts for a long period of time without intervening. I
enjoyed the laid back attitude he portrayed as students talked about hypothetically ending their
lives. Like I mentioned, I took no part in the discussion, mainly because I can had no desire or
strong views about the topic. I felt content listening and enjoyed hearing peoples thoughts on
such a debatable and controversial subject.
I believe that taking this class was important experience for me because I am usually in
classes that are all about straight and narrow facts. My nursing and science classes are black and
white with no gray area. However, this sociology class was all about the gray area you could say.
It involved a lot of critical thinking and personal feelings. I think it was great for me to get out of
my comfort zone, class wise, and experience a different type of learning. As a professional nurse,
this class has helped me a develop a further sense of thinking and enhanced my perspective on
death, dying, and grieving. I think I will be able to handle situations that handle death a lot better
than I would have.
Overall, I think that this was a great class to add to the curriculum. I enjoyed learning about
things that dont just happen in a nursing context, but in everyday life. If I were to take this class
again, I would have done only one thing differently. I enjoyed what I learned and how I handled
my classwork, however I wish I would have asked more questions. Now that I know everything
my teacher was trying to get across, I want to know more! I feel as I am about to end a college
course and wanting to know more about the interesting subject, that it has been taught well and I
clearly have chosen the right major.